The reported settlement comes nearly six months after Rodriguez's high-profile release from the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center, a secure unit that specializes in mental and emotional problems, where he served 19 months on burglary-related charges.

Nearly 500 other misdemeanor offenders were set free the same week during a shake-up at the troubled agency. But Rodriguez's case received special attention because of the severe beating he suffered from four peers while guards failed to intervene. Two guards were fired over the incident, which left Rodriguez briefly hospitalized.

Several other abuse and neglect suits are pending against the agency, and more may be coming.

Scott Medlock, an attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, said his organization has sued the agency in federal court related to the alleged sexual and physical abuse of Joseph Galloway, another former inmate, and also has filed a class action suit alleging widespread abuse of prisoners.

His office is also investigating scores of other complaints, Medlock said.

Will Harrell, TYC's ombudsman, said a decision to settle the Rodriguez case could spur other lawsuits.

"Usually when an agency settles, it often kicks off a domino effect," Harrell said.

"I don't know what is in the pipeline," TYC spokesman Jim Hurley said.

TYC was placed under conservatorship earlier this year when it became known that administrators and top officials had ignored repeated indications that youths were being sexually and physically abused by staff at units throughout the state.

Rodriguez said he has stayed out of trouble since his release from TYC in early April.

He has found work, is spending time with his family at the beach and plans to buy a used car with part of his settlement.